Curtis Announces Partner Promotion in New York and New Counsels in Kazakhstan

New York, March 23, 2023 – Curtis is pleased to announce the promotion of Counsel Susan Maples to Partner in the New York office, effective April 1, 2023, and four new Counsel in its Astana and Almaty offices.

Susan Dyer Maples has for several years been a key member of the firm’s renowned international arbitration and oil and gas groups, participating in several of the multibillion dollar arbitrations the firm is handling. She has advised numerous states and state-owned entities around the world on treaty and commercial arbitrations as well as on contractual matters, with a particular focus on the renewable energy and natural resource sectors. She was a key member of the Curtis team that represented the Republic of Kazakhstan in a commercial arbiration against an oil consortium, which resulted in a billion dollar settlement in favor of the Republic, and is representing Romania in an intra-EU renewable energy arbiration under the Energy Charter Treaty. Susan holds a law degree from Columbia University School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Georgia, summa cum laude, and is a U.S. national.

Curtis has also promoted four associates to the position of Counsel in Curtis Kazakhstan.

Kopzhan Musrepov has been working in the Astana office since 2009. His experience includes government procurement, corporate governance, agreements with foreign companies and dispute resolution. In disputes, he has participated in several high-profile cases, such as Caratube v. Kazakhstan and disputes concerning the Kashagan and Karachaganak oil megaprojects. Mr. Musrepov is a member of the Kazakhstan Bar Association and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in London. He is also registered as a Legal Advisor in the AIFC.

Yerzhan Mukhitdinov focuses on international arbitration and corporate law. He has worked out of both the New York and Astana offices representing states and state-owned entities in disputes in various industries, including poultry, gold mining, and oil and gas. Mr. Mukhitdinov holds a Ph.D. from Kazakh National University and an LL.M. from Duke University School of Law. He is admitted to practice in both Kazakhstan and New York.

Meruyert Shaimerdinova is a member of the Curtis arbitration team in Astana who has been involved in several cases on behalf of Kazakhstan. She has also worked on various settlement agreements and post-arbitration legal proceedings. Her prior experience includes work at the special department of the Ministry of Justice of Kazakhstan focused on international arbitration. Ms. Shaimerdinova has an LL.M. degree in International Commercial Law from the University of Dundee.

Bibigul Nugumova has been associated with the firm since 2013. Her practice focuses on disputes as well as corporate and commercial matters. She has participated in ICC, ICSID, SIAC and UNCITRAL arbitrations. Ms. Nugumova is a graduate of Kazakh University of Humanities and Law.

George Kahale III, Curtis Chairman and head of the firm’s market-leading arbitration practice, said: “These well-deserved promotions reflect our commitment to maintaining our leadership position in international arbitration as well as our commitment to our Kazakhstan practice.”